Celebrating Women Shaping Africa’s Startup Ecosystem

📅 Issue #4 – Breaking Barriers in Women’s Health

From Boardrooms to Digital Clinics: How Thato Schermer is Transforming Women’s Healthcare in Africa

In the heart of South Africa, Thato Schermer saw a major gap in healthcare. Women across the continent were struggling to access affordable, personalized, and convenient healthcare services. Determined to change this, she co-founded Zoie Health, Africa’s first digital women’s health clinic.

Zoie Health is on a mission to make healthcare accessible, affordable, and stigma-free. From virtual doctor consultations to fertility support and maternal health services, the platform is giving women the power to take control of their well-being.

🚀 Milestones & Recognition: 

✔️ Thousands of women across Africa now have easier access to quality healthcare.

✔️ Partnerships with leading healthcare organizations to expand services.

✔️ Recognized as one of Africa’s most promising femtech startups.

Game-Changer of the Week: Zoie Health’s Holistic Women’s Health Platform

What if you could access expert women’s healthcare from the comfort of your home? Zoie Health is making this a reality.

🔹 Why It Matters: Many African women face barriers such as cost, stigma, and limited healthcare facilities. Zoie Health’s digital platform removes these obstacles by providing virtual consultations, mental health support, contraception guidance, and even fertility assistance—all at the tap of a button.

With Africa’s digital transformation accelerating, Zoie Health is reshaping how women experience healthcare across the continent.

The Impact So Far

✔ 10,000+ consultations provided across South Africa.
✔ Partnerships with major healthcare providers and insurance companies.
✔ Recognized as one of Africa’s Top 100 Most Innovative Startups.
✔ Expansion plans to Kenya and Nigeria in 2025.

Know a female founder making an impact? Hit reply and nominate them for our next feature!

Game-Changer of the Week: Zoie Health’s Digital Clinic

Women’s health issues are often underserved in traditional healthcare systems. Zoie Health’s digital clinic fills this gap by offering:

✅ Virtual Consultations: Speak to doctors and specialists from the comfort of your home.
✅ Prescription Delivery: Medications and birth control delivered to your doorstep.
✅ Community Support: A safe space for women to discuss their health concerns and get expert advice.

Why It Matters: Many African women hesitate to seek medical help due to stigma, high costs, or limited access. Zoie Health is removing these barriers, ensuring women get the care they deserve—when and where they need it.

Are you solving a big problem like Zoie Health? Tell us about your startup!

📖 The Playbook: Lessons from Thato Schermer

🎯 1. Solve a Real Problem: If you’re building a startup, start by identifying a pain point in your community.
🎯 2. Leverage Technology: Digital solutions can bridge gaps where traditional industries fail.
🎯 3. Build Trust: Healthcare is deeply personal. Transparency and reliability are key to success.
🎯 4. Think Scale: Start small, but always have a plan for expansion. Zoie Health started in South Africa and is now eyeing other African markets.

Which of these lessons resonates with you? Reply and let us know!

📰 Hot Off the Press: What’s New in Female-Founded Startups?

🔹 Kenya: Zuri Health, a telemedicine startup, secures funding to expand its services across East Africa.
🔹 Nigeria: Healthtracka, led by Ifeoluwa Dare-Johnson, partners with local labs to provide at-home diagnostic testing.
🔹 Ghana: Pezesha, a fintech startup co-founded by Hilda Moraa, launches a financial wellness program for women entrepreneurs.

Stay ahead—subscribe for your weekly dose of Africa’s most inspiring startup news!

💰 Power Moves: Funding, Grants & Opportunities

💸 Google for Startups Women Founders Fund – Open to African female entrepreneurs building tech-enabled solutions.
📌 She Leads Africa Accelerator – A mentorship-driven program for women-led startups in Africa.
🚀 VC4A Pitch Program – Connect with investors and gain global exposure for your startup.

Need funding? Check out these opportunities and apply!

🔥 Unfiltered: Founder Confessions

"Starting Zoie Health wasn’t just about business—it was about making a real difference. The hardest part? Convincing investors that women’s healthcare is a priority worth funding." – Thato Schermer

What’s the hardest challenge you’ve faced as a founder? Share your story!

Affiliates Corner

📊 The Discipline of Leadership – Learn how to navigate conversations effectively and secure win-win agreements. [Click Here]

💡 Data-Driven Leadership Skills – Analyze and assess leadership stories to understand their impact in the digital era. [Click Here]

🚀 Leadership in Action and Planning – Develop advanced skills to drive change, make strategic decisions, and build powerful coalitions. [Click Here]

📢 Want to be featured as an affiliate partner in our next issue? Reply to this, and let’s connect!

🌍 Community Corner

What’s the biggest challenge facing women’s healthcare in Africa today? 

🔹 Access to doctors

🔹 Cost of services

🔹 Stigma and cultural barriers

🔹 Lack of information

Comment with your thoughts! We’d love to hear from you.

📢 Final Words: Thato’s story is proof that when women lead, entire industries transform. If Zoie Health’s journey inspired you, imagine what your startup can do.

Until next time, keep building and keep winning!

💌 ANBS
Supporting Women Entrepreneurs Across Africa